Method and device for applying several substances to a yarn

ABSTRACT

Device for applying several substances in a specific pattern on a yarn moving along a path comprising several nozzles for ejecting droplets of substances to the yarn, each of said nozzles ejects droplets of a respective substance to the yarn and being connected with a respective substance supply for supplying a substance having a respective characteristic.  
     According to the invention said nozzles are directed at an inclined angle with respect to the moving path of the yarn.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to a device for applying several substances in a specific pattern on a yarn moving along a path comprising several nozzles for ejecting droplets of substances to the yarn, each of said nozzles ejects droplets of a respective substance to the yarn and being connected with a respective substance supply for supplying a substance having a respective characteristic.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for applying several substances in a specific pattern on a yarn moving along a path by ejecting droplets of substances from several nozzles to the yarn, wherein each of said nozzles ejects droplets of a respective substance to the yarn and being connected with a respective substance supply for supplying a substance having a respective characteristic.

[0003] Furthermore the invention also relates to a yarn preparation device comprising a device for feeding and advancing a yarn from a yarn supply along a yarn moving path and further comprising a yarn treatment device according to the invention.

[0004] In this application a substance is referred to an arbitrary substance, which is applied to a yarn, e.g. a sizing agent, dye, ink, glue, varnish, wax, lubricant, elastomer, plastic, hardener, coating, means for preparing the yarn for dyeing, polymers, surface modifying varnishes, surface modifying finishes, agents to be altered at some later stage, microcapsules containing agents to be activated at some later stage or another substance.

[0005] A device according to the above introduction is for example known from the International patent application no. PCT/EP01/05993 (WO 01/90461). In WO 01/90461 successive nozzles are positioned in a side-by-side manner along the moving path of the yarn. Via said nozzles substances in the form of droplets are ejected towards the yarn and specific patterns of said several substances to the yarn can be created by temporarily interrupting the flow of the substance ejecting from one or more of said nozzles.

[0006] Due to the side-by-side orientation of the nozzles along the moving path of the yarn the different substances are applied at different positions to the yarn at the same time. Therefore applying the substances in varying amounts and in varying patterns to the yarn requires a complex control of the nozzles, which control is furthermore strongly influenced by the velocity of the moving yarn.

[0007] Furthermore the known device according to WO 01/90461 requires significant constructional (‘lengthy’) dimensions. Also a complicated and complex control of the nozzles is required, thus limiting its versatility as regard to the possible variety of patterns of substances and its productivity.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device as stated above having improved capabilities in applying several substances in different amounts and patterns to a yarn, thus significantly improving its speed and versatility.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device as stated above having far limited constructional dimensions.

[0010] According to the invention at least one of said nozzles is arranged to eject droplets in a direction at an inclined angle with respect to the moving path of the yarn. A compact and small device having reduced constructional dimensions is obtained as according to the invention the yarn is now treated by the different nozzles, which are no longer located in a side-by-side manner.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment a more versatile device according to the invention is obtained, as it comprises means for changing the inclined angle between at least one of said nozzles with respect to the moving path of said yarn. With these feature it is possible to alter the pattern of substances to be applied to the moving yarn, whilst maintaining a compact construction with limited dimensions.

[0012] More in particular said angle-changing means are arranged to change the angle of each nozzle based on the volume and/or velocity of the droplets being ejected, on the pattern in which the droplets are to be applied to the yarn and/or on the speed of the yarn along its moving path.

[0013] As the device according to the invention may also comprise detection means for determining the volume and/or the velocity of at least one droplet being ejected and/or the velocity of the moving yarn and/or proper feedback information obtained as to the pattern of substances applied to the yarn. This allows the device to make adjustments or modifications to the settings of the process of applying said several substances in an arbitrary pattern to the moving yarn. Furthermore the distribution of the substances being applied and the resulting pattern of the substances to the yarn can be controlled accurately.

[0014] According to the invention said ejected droplets out of said nozzles are directed towards a common converging point, wherein in one embodiment said converging point is located at the moving yarn being treated. In another embodiment said converging point is located near the yarn being treated. With these embodiments only one part of the yarn is treated simultaneously (at the same time) with different substances in an arbitrary pattern. This requires a less complicated control and allows to operate the treatment device according to the invention, whilst the yarn to be treated is moved at a higher speed.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles are directed at an inclined angle with respect to at least the ejected droplets out of another one of said nozzles.

[0016] In a further improvement, wherein the yarn can be treated in an arbitrary pattern of substances said nozzles are capable of ejecting droplets in a sequential manner towards said converging point. With these features not a physical blending of the different substances is obtained, but especially when an ink as a substance is used for colouring the yarn an optical blend is obtained. This allows a new, advanced technique for preparing of a yarn with the device according to the invention.

[0017] It is also possible for said nozzles to eject droplets in a side-by-side relationship at said yarn as to blend said several droplets at said converging point.

[0018] More in particular each nozzle is a piezo-electric actuated nozzle, wherein it is established that said specific volume of each ejected droplet and its velocity out of the nozzle is proportional to the voltage applied to the piezo-electric nozzle.

[0019] In further embodiments according to the invention the nozzles are directed in a downstream or upstream manner towards the yarn seen in the direction of the movement of the yarn. This improves the versatility of the treatment device according to the invention.

[0020] In two further embodiments said nozzles are positioned in an equidistant manner around said yarn moving path or said nozzles are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the yarn. This further limits the constructional dimensions of the treatment device.

[0021] In a more versatile embodiment according to the invention the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles are directed at an inclined angle with respect to at least the ejected droplets out of another one of said nozzles.

[0022] The method according to the invention is characterized in arranging at least on of said nozzles to eject droplets in a direction at an inclined angle with respect to the moving path of the yarn.

[0023] A more versatile method according to the invention is obtained by adjusting the angle of the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles with respect to the moving path of the yarn.

[0024] More in particular the method is aimed in directing the ejected droplets out of said nozzles towards a common converging point.

[0025] And especially the method is capable directing the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles at an inclined angle with respect to at least the ejected droplets out of another one of said nozzles.

[0026] The invention shall now be described by means of the enclosed description, in which drawing shows:

[0027]FIGS. 1a-1 c a first, second and third embodiment of a treatment device according to the invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 a fourth embodiment of a treatment device according to the invention;

[0029]FIGS. 3a-3 c show several graphs concerning the relationship between the voltage (Volt) applied to the piezo-electric actuated nozzle and the volume-dimensions of one substance-droplet and the ejecting velocity respectively.

[0030] In FIG. 1a a yarn preparation device 10 is disclosed comprising a yarn supply 11 (e.g. a spool) from which a yarn 12 is drawn or pulled-off using suitable yarn supply means 13-15, which are known in the art. The yarn preparation device 10 can be for example a loom or a knitting device or other device wherein a yarn is pulled-off from a yarn supply. Using the yarn supply means 13-15 (e.g. yarn guide means 13 and yarn take-up means 15) a yarn 12 is transported along a yarn moving path through the yarn preparation device and also through the yarn treatment device according to the invention.

[0031] As clearly shown in FIG. 1a a device 100 for treating said yarn 12 is disclosed. The device 100 operates by depositing droplets of a substance with a specific characteristic (for example colour) to said yarn 12. More in particular the device 100 comprises several treatment stations (here indicated with reference numerals 20 and 30). Each treatment station 20 (30) is intended for one substance 25 (35) having a specific characteristic (for example colour), which substance 25 (35) is contained in a reservoir or supply 21 (31). To said reservoir 21 (31) a nozzle 22 (32) is connected for ejecting droplets 26 (36) of said substance 25 (35) towards said moving yarn 12.

[0032] In a first aspect of the device according to the invention it comprises means 27 (37) for changing the inclined angle of impact of said droplets 26 (36) on said yarn 12. To this end the angle-changing means are arranged to change the angular orientation of the nozzle 22 (32) with respect to the direction of movement of the yarn 12.

[0033] The inclined angle α (β) between the nozzles 22 (32) and the moving yarn is controllable between a range of 0°-180°. When the angle α (β) ranges between 0°-90° (acute), then the nozzle is directed in the direction of movement of the yarn 12. However it is also possible to adjust the angle of incidence α (β) using the angle adjustment means 27 (37) into an obtuse angle falling in the range 90°-180° in such manner that the nozzle exhibits counter current orientation with respect to the moving yarn 12.

[0034] The inclined angle between the nozzle 22 (32) and the yarn 12 defines the impact surface on the yarn 12 on which the droplets 26 (36) impinge. A small, acute angle lying in range of 0°-45° results in an acute angle of incidence, however the droplets 26 are smeared over a larger yarn surface upon impact.

[0035] Thus with controlling the angle of incidence the characteristics of the resulting substance applied on the yarn 12 can be altered.

[0036] The angle of each nozzle is adjusted using for example a stepper motor which is capable to rotate the nozzle with respect to the moving path of the yarn in a stepwise manner as to change or adjust the angle of the nozzle. In an example, the nozzle is mounted on the motor axis of the stepper motor, which motor axis is arranged perpendicular to the moving path of the yarn. A rotation of the motor axis results in a change of the angle of the nozzle with respect to the moving path of the yarn and in this way in a change of the direction at which the droplets are ejected with respect to the moving path of the yarn.

[0037] Also other adjustment techniques are possible, for example by mounting the nozzle on a rotational driven support axis in order to adjust the inclined angle of incidence of the ejected droplets on the yarn or the inclined angle of the ejected droplets out of said nozzles by changing the angle of the nozzle with respect to the path of the yarn.

[0038] It is according to the invention also possible to direct ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles at a different inclined angle with respect to at least the ejected droplets out of another one of said nozzles. This allows a further versatile implementation of the method and device according to the invention in applying several substances in all kinds of pattern and/or amounts to a moving yarn.

[0039] As disclosed in FIG. 1a said nozzles 22 (32) of said several treatment stations 20 (30) are directed to a common converging point 14. As shown in FIG. 1a said converging point 14 is located at the moving yarn 12. In another embodiment, which embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 2, said converging point is located near the yarn 12 being treated. In FIG. 2 said converging point is depicted with reference numeral 14′, whereas the actual impact point of the droplets of substance at the yarn 12 is depicted by reference numeral 14.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1a in this specific embodiment said treatment stations 20 (30) are for example of the inktjet nozzle type, wherein the nozzle 22 (32) consists of a piezo-electric actuated nozzle having a simply actuated piezo-electric crystal 24 (34). With the use of control means 23 (33) a suitable voltage signal can be applied to the piezo-electric crystal 24 (34). The voltage applied by said control means 23 (33) causes the piezo-electric crystal 24 (34) and the nozzle 22 (32) to eject droplets 26 (36) of substance 25 (35) having a specific volume.

[0041] Research has shown that the amount of voltage applied to the nozzle piezo-electric crystal 24 (34) directly influences the volume and velocity of the droplets 26 (36) upon leaving the nozzle 22 (32). This correlation will be described more clearly under reference of FIGS. 3a-3 c.

[0042] With this configuration it is possible to apply a blend of substances 25 and 35 to said moving yarn 12 in an arbitrary pattern. The droplets 26 (36) ejected by both treatment stations 20 (30) impinge on said moving yarn 12 at their common converging point 14.

[0043] At said converging point 14 both substances 25 (35) now in the form of several droplets 26 (36) interact or blend with each other at said converging point 14, resulting for example in a substance consisting of the two substances 25 and 35.

[0044] Depending on for example the speed of the yarn 12, the thickness of the yarn, the tension of the yarn and/or other characteristics of the yarn 12 the several treatment stations 20 (30) are controllable. That is to say using the control means 23 (33) the voltage applied to said piezo-electric crystal can be altered, which voltage change in turn results in a changed droplet volume and velocity.

[0045] These new parameters of the substance 25 (35) being applied to said moving yarn 12 significantly influence the resulting pattern of said two substances being created from said converging point 14 on said yarn 12.

[0046] In order to alter the applying of substances on said yarn 12 or to alter the blend being composed from both substances 25 (35) the treatment device 100 further comprises detection means 110 which, for example examine the yarn 12 just being treated. The detection means 110 examine e.g. the pattern of the substances after being applied to the yarn as well as the volume of the specific droplets 26 (36) being ejected by said nozzle 22 (32). The detection means may also monitor the characteristics of the yarn being treated as to the thickness, roughness, flexibility and speed.

[0047] The detection means 110 can be embodied as imaging means.

[0048] These determined characteristics or information by said detection means 110 can be used to control, modify or adjust the control means 23 (33) in order to change for example the volume and velocity of said droplets upon ejecting from the nozzle 22 (32).

[0049] In FIGS. 1b and 1 c two further embodiments of the treatment device 100 according to FIG. 1a are disclosed.

[0050] In FIG. 1a only two treatment stations 20 and 30 are used, whilst in FIG. 1b three treatment stations 20-30-40 are used for ejecting droplets 26, 36, 46 of three different substances 25, 35, 45 to their mutual converging point 14 located on said yarn 12.

[0051] In FIG. 1c another embodiment of a treatment device according to the invention is disclosed having four treatment stations 20-30-40-50 which are placed in an equidistant manner around the yarn 12. Also with this embodiment the four substance droplets 26-56 impinge all said yarn 12 at the same converging point 14. The four substances 25-55 blend with each other resulting in an applied substance consisting of four substances with specific characteristics.

[0052] It is also possible to apply the droplets of different treatment stations in a side-by-side manner to said yarn. The substances 25-55 as used are for example coloured substances then a so-called quantilic colouring is applied to the moving yarn 12 which quantilic colouring or pattern results in an optical blend of the successive colour droplets 26-56.

[0053] It is also possible to apply the droplets of different treatment stations by ejecting droplets from different treatment stations at a different time to a different place along the moving path of the yarn. This is possible because the difference in speed of the moving yarn and velocity of the droplets to the yarn is known, such that it is possible to eject droplets at a given time in a given direction at a given velocity to the moving yarn at a given speed.

[0054] In FIG. 2 another embodiment of a treatment device according to the invention is disclosed wherein identical parts are indicated with the same reference numerals. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 three treatment stations 20-40 are used for applying droplets 26-46 from the nozzles 22-32-42 towards the yarn 12 to be treated.

[0055] Instead of the embodiment of FIG. 1a, 1 b and 1 c wherein the converging point 14 is located at the yarn, in the embodiment as disclosed in FIG. 2 said converging point 14 is located near the yarn 12 being treated. Therefore the converging point of impact 14′ is located at some distance from the yarn 12 and after the combined impact of the droplets 26-36-46 near said converging point 14′ they are deviated as a single combined group of droplets 120, which resulting stream of droplets impinge on the yarn 12. With the use of a guiding element 16 it is possible to guide the sequence of droplets towards the yarn even when only one of the nozzles operated.

[0056] The guiding element 16 also enables to change the direction of the droplets ejected from the nozzle to the moving yarn. In this way it is possible that for example droplets ejected at an angle with respect to the moving path of the yarn can be applied perpendicularly to the yarn.

[0057] With the embodiment as disclosed in FIGS. 1a and 2 a device with limited constructional dimensions is obtained. Furthermore by directing the nozzles of several treatment stations to one converging point 14-14′ at which converging point the droplets of different substances blend with each other a more versatile treatment device according to the invention is obtained having improved capabilities in applying several substances in different amounts and patterns to a yarn.

[0058] The graphs of FIGS. 3a-3 c show the correlation between the voltage applied to a piezo-electric actuated or operated nozzle as used in a treatment station of the device according to the invention and the volume of the droplets of substance ejected from said nozzle (left Y-axis, in nano-litre: 10⁻⁹ l) and the velocity of said droplets upon leaving said nozzle (right Y-axis, in metres per second), respectively.

[0059] The graphs are created for several nozzles having a different exit diameter, e.g. 5 mm (Graph 3 a), 7 mm (Graph 3 b) and 10 mm (Graph 3 c).

[0060] The graphs clearly show the linear correlation between the voltage applied and the volume and velocity of the droplets ejected by said nozzle. 

1. Device for applying several substances in a specific pattern on a yarn moving along a path comprising several nozzles for ejecting droplets of substances to the yarn, each of said nozzles ejects droplets of a respective substance to the yarn and being connected with a respective substance supply for supplying a substance having a respective characteristic, characterized in that at least one of said nozzles is arranged to eject droplets in a direction at an inclined angle with respect to the moving path of the yarn.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises means for changing the angle between at least one of said nozzles with respect to the moving path of said yarn.
 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said angle-changing means are arranged to change the angle based on the volume and/or velocity of the droplets being ejected, on the pattern in which the droplets are to be applied to the yarn and/or on the velocity of the yarn along its moving path.
 4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the device further comprises detection means for determining the volume and/or the velocity of at least one droplet being ejected and/or the speed of the moving yarn.
 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said ejected droplets out of said nozzles are directed towards a common converging point.
 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said converging point is located at the yarn being treated.
 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said converging point is located near the yarn being treated.
 8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said nozzles are capable of ejecting droplets in a sequential manner towards said converging point.
 9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said nozzles are capable of ejecting droplets in a side-by-side relationship at said yarn as to blend said several droplets at said converging point.
 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each nozzle is a piezo-electric actuated nozzle.
 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the volume of each droplet being ejected and its velocity out of the nozzle is proportional to the voltage applied to the piezo-electric nozzle.
 12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles are directed in a downstream manner towards the yarn seen in the direction of the movement of the yarn.
 13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles are directed in an upstream manner towards the yarn seen in the direction of the movement of the yarn.
 14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said nozzles are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the moving path of the yarn.
 15. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles are directed at an inclined angle with respect to at least the ejected droplets out of another one of said nozzles.
 16. Yarn preparation device comprising a device for feeding and advancing a yarn from a yarn supply along a yarn moving path and further comprising a yarn treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims.
 17. Method for applying several substances in a specific pattern on a yarn moving along a path by ejecting droplets of substances from several nozzles for to the yarn, wherein each of said nozzles ejects droplets of a respective substance to the yarn and being connected with a respective substance supply for supplying a substance having a respective characteristic, characterized by arranging at least on of said nozzles to eject droplets in a direction at an inclined angle with respect to the moving path of the yarn.
 18. Method according to claim 17, characterized by adjusting the angle of the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles with respect to the moving path of the yarn.
 19. Method according to claim 17, characterized by directing the ejected droplets out of said nozzles towards a common converging point.
 20. Method according to claim 17, characterized by directing the ejected droplets out of at least one of said nozzles at an inclined angle with respect to at least the ejected droplets out of another one of said nozzles. 